Week 7 RB Rankings PPR: Running Back Fantasy Stats & Projections

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With Nick Chubb, Christian McCaffrey, and James Conner on byes this week, this is a tough group to fill in with. The good news is that Todd Gurley is looking to return, and the same goes for Saquon Barkley. Looking ahead at this week it is easy to slot Barkley back into a full time role and feel good about it. Leonard Fournette is just behind him as one of the top options on the board this week.  If you are looking for some permanent adds for Week 7 and moving forward, check out the waiver wire breakdowns. These are the top ranked running backs, with season long stats, and their projections for Week 7.

Week 7 Running Back Rankings + Stats & Projections

Week 7 Studs

Saquon Barkley is ready for return this week, and he comes in as the highest projected back as he would most weeks when healthy. He gets a strong matchup to get back in the groove, as Arizona ranks 25th against the run. The Cardinals have allowed the 10th most rushing yards per game so far this season, but the lack of touchdowns against have been what’s weighed opposing backs down in fantasy. The Bengals are the 27th ranked defense against the run, and are allowing the most PPR points per game to opposing backs. Leonard Fournette is in a big time spot this week, and is averaging 23.5 touches per game. This is the second most among running backs this season.

Some of the bigger names have some tougher matchups this week, but volume is going to carry them and they are overall just consistent fantasy producers. Chris Carson is a name that gets a bump for me this week. Baltimore ranks just 18th against the run, and Carson is averaging 22.8 touches per game this season. That is on par with Chubb, Cook, and Bell. Things have been quiet for Dalvin Cook lately, but the Lions are allowing over 30 PPR points per game to opposing running backs this season.

Injury Notes

Todd Gurley popped up with an injury mid-week and didn’t face San Francisco. It might be because he just didn’t want to face that defense. Malcolm Brown was the lead back and struggled against one of the better defenses in the league. Gurley is considered questionable, but is expected to play. It is a good matchup for him against Atlanta, but the offensive line is mow going to be without Joseph Noteboom for the rest of the season. Brown is still a name to keep an eye on, and I want to have him stashed just in case this injury is lingering or even not an actual bruise at all. Gurley has been inefficient over the last few weeks before the injury popped up. Devin Singletary might return this weekend, which would steal a few touches away from Frank Gore. I still like Gore as a start this week regardless. Rashaad Penny was inactive this past weekend, and Carson will be in another high workload role if he sits out again, which seems likely.

Alvin Kamara is in a tough matchup this weekend, but is also dealing with an ankle and knee injury. He played this past weekend, but wasn’t himself. This is something to monitor as the week goes on. Latavius Murray would endure the same tough matchup, but could see a spike in touches.

Tough Matchups

Le’Veon Bell has what seems to be one more tough matchup before he gets a stretch of defenses where he can go off against. Bell is a nice buy low candidate. In Week 7 his volume in PPR will likely make him a floor play, but I wouldn’t expect any sort of ceiling game. The Patriots are allowing the fewest fantasy points per game to running backs and have the third ranked rush defense. Ezekiel Elliott will have a home matchup against the Eagles, who ranked 2nd against the run, and are allowing the fourth fewest fantasy points per game to opposing backs. Kerryon Johnson is in a similar boat against the Vikings, who have the fourth ranked rush defense. I mentioned above the Saints running backs are in a tough spot. The Bears are a top ten rush defense, but have allowed the 13th most fantasy points per game.

There are some overall team committees to avoid this week. Washington is an offense I don’t want a piece of taking on San Francisco. They have not allowed a rushing touchdown, and only 346 rushing yards in five games. Miami is the other one against the Bills, who are top ten in fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs. If you have better options than David Montgomery start them, he is still playable if you are not deep at the position, but this is a tough spot.